Fruit Liqueur Freaks 'Red Shiso Liqueur'

Considered the smallest liquor company in Japan, Fruit Liqueur Freaks is a small producer of artisanal liqueurs run out of a small garage in the backstreets of Kyoto. Established in 2014 by friends Ryota Anezaki and Hirokazu Itoh who focus on quality over quantity when it comes to making their products.⁠

This Red Shiso liqueur is made once each year when the Shiso leaves are in abundance. Red Shiso is generally available for a very short time in early July every year. The process for making this delicious liqueur starts with a large batch of red shiso leaves. They are sorted and have the bitter stems in each leaf removed by hand. The leaves are then heated in a solution of spring water and vinegar. After this alcohol and sugar are added and the mixture is left to integrate for several months. The aroma and palate offer a pure shiso experience. The liqueur makes an excellent ingredient for cocktails, add a splash to elevate a gin & tonic or simply over ice with soda.⁠